1 - 7 FEBRUAR 2016

Jewish Synagogue - Hauptbahnhof

Monday, 1 February we had a senior FHE activity at the Frankfurt Gemeindehaus. We played a get-acquainted game of questions and answers. We played this one year ago in February 2015 after we had just arrived. So, now we know that we are old timers because we've started to repeat the games and FHE activities.
     On Wednesday, 3 February we held our senior zone conference in the Frankfurt chapel. Elder Timothy Dyches, 2nd counselor in area presidency, spoke to us. I found his comments on DC 4 and DC 52 quite interesting and gave me helpful inspiration for my work in talking with missionaries who struggle. I've always known well and often referred to the 4th section of D&C, but this time the statement "and faith, hope, charity and love, and an eye single to the glory of God qualify them for the work" meant more to me than before. I remember President Monson often saying, "whom the Lord calls the Lord qualifies." Qualifying for the spirit of this work really is as simple and as difficult as having those four qualifying things. So many missionaries want to make this about their own abilities and capacities, and the work of proclaiming the restored truth is done by the spirit, not by man. We are messengers of truth, but the Comforter is the real teacher.
     I liked also DC 52:14 which offers a pattern of discerning people so you are not deceived by false teachers: (1) Prays with a contrite spirit and faith in God, (2) obeys the Lord's ordinances, (3) speaks with contrite speech that edifies, (4) trembles under the power of God and meekly, humbly recognizes their own nothingness, and (5) shows forth fruits of wisdom and praise to the Lord in accordance to the revelations of God - in other words, they do not take wisdom or power or glory unto themselves. 
   

Senior Missionaries Zone Conference 3 February 2016

 Elder Dyches showed a clip of several metal balls suspended from strings that are all swung together. They first start out in a pattern, then turn to chaos, and then return back to a pattern. His message was that their are always patterns in our lives. Sometimes we can't recognize them, but they are there, and we should always strive to develop patterns of righteousness in our lives that show the Lord a sign of our devotion. 
     I've also found lately the "principles of righteousness" listed in DC 121 verses 37-46 very useful in my own life and in counseling with missionaries. These principles, which are inseparably connected to  the power of the priesthood, should regulate how we fulfill our daily performance of duties and interactions with fellowmen. 
     

Elaine accompanies senior choir

We had a good zone conference and a very nice catered lunch and took another picture of the senior missionaries. I've included the picture. I compared it with 2-3 other zone pictures taken throughout the year that we've been here and it is fun but also melancholy to see the faces of old friends who have now returned home. Lots of great friends made during our time here. 
      Elaine's piano talents have been used extensively. She plays for something every week. In this picture she is accompanying a senior choir for zone conference. We only have five months left until we return home. Don't know if we are ready to return to normal life, but we do look forward to being with our family.